Blitz Bureau
The United Arab Emirates and Pakistan signed five accords to boost bilateral cooperation in different fields on the occasion of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official visit to Pakistan.
According to a report published in Dawn, Pakistan and the UAE share close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. The UAE, it said, is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and a major source of remittances, with a large Pakistani expatriate population living and working there.
The documents, according to the Dawn report, were signed on February 27 in fields, including banking, railways, mining and infrastructural investment. The Crown Prince and Pak Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the ceremony as officials from both sides exchanged the pre-signed documents of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding for cooperation in various fields. Federal Cabinet members, Chief of the Army Staff General Asim Munir and members of the UAE delegation were also present.
Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince later met PM Sharif and discussed matters of bilateral interest. Welcoming the Crown Prince, the PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to further strengthen its historic and fraternal bonds with the UAE.
Recalling his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, Sharif said that it was a matter of huge satisfaction that the two countries were now working more closely than ever before to transform their excellent political ties into a mutually beneficial economic partnership. The Premier also said that the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Line was discussed during his recent visit to Uzbekistan. He said the project would benefit the ports of Gwadar and Abu Dhabi and would prove to be a game-changer for the whole region.
PM Sharif lauded the UAE’s consistent and strong support for Pakistan in various fields, including at difficult times. He appreciated the keen interest shown by the UAE in expanding its investment portfolio in Pakistan and remarked that the recent successful investment initiatives between various Pakistani entities and Abu Dhabi Ports were a shining example of this “robust and ever-expanding cooperation”.
Sheikh Khaled, who was accompanied by a delegation comprising senior officials and business leaders, thanked the Premier and reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s economic development and prosperity. President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Nishan-i-Pakistan award upon the Crown Prince in recognition of his services and unwavering support for Pakistan.
The President earlier held a meeting with the UAE official where the two reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of business, infrastructure development, culture and people-topeople contacts.
